Control mechanism



July 21, 1953 T. R. sMn-H CONTROL MECHANISM Original Filed Dec. 20, 1948 IN VEN TOR. www@ f2. 5mi/1f, BY www @46,66%

PatentedY July 21, 1953 CONTROL MECHAN ISM Thomas R. Smith, Newton, Iowa, assignor to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa, a corporation of Delaware Original application December 20, 1948, Serial No. 66,229. Divided and this application October 11, 1950, Serial No. 189,618

1 Claim.

This invention relates to control mechanism and more particularly to i'loat control mechanism adapted to be associated with containers for receiving and handling uids or liquids.

This application is a division of the parent application, Serial No. 66,229, filed December 20, 1948.

In apparatus such as washing machines, wherein liquids are used and wherein electrical control mechanism is operatively associated with and responsive to liquid level conditions, proper sealing means must be used to isolate the electrical control mechanism from the liquid and prevent leakage of the liquid from its container. At the same time in mounting such electrical control mechanism on or in the liquid containing receptacle an arrangement must be provided whereby there is freedom of movement of the control parts in response to change in water level conditions.

One object of the invention is to provide a novel float-controlled switch assembly to meet the requirements hereinabove mentioned.

Another object is to provide a novel iioat-controlled switch assembly wherein the sealing means for the actuator therefor serves in the capacity of a support upon which the actuator is movable.

A further object is to provide a simple durable and efficient control mechanism adapted to meet all of the requirements for successful operation.

These and other objects are accomplished by one embodiment of my invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical crosssection of the iioat control mechanism shown operatively mounted on a container such as a washing machine tub for containing water; and,

Figure 2 is a view in elevation taken in the plane represented by lines 2-2 of Figure 1 of the drawings.

The various novel features oi the invention will be described in this specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the figures of the drawings, the outer stationary tub or container is preferably formed at its lower portion with a cylindrical wall 1. The bottom 8 of the container is formed or sloped to facilitate the drainage of washing fluid therefrom in any suitable manner. Disposed within the lower portion of the tub 6 is a float 9 in the form of an inverted cup-like member arranged to be floated when water in suiiicient quantities enters the container 6, the same being mounted upon the actuator member or rod I0 which extends laterally through and beyond an opening II formed in the side wall portion 'I of the stationary container or receptacle.

The actuator rod It is provided with an annular groove I2 mounted in the enlarged annular collar i3 of a diaphragm shaped seal I4 of corrugated structure which has an enlarged edge portion I5 clamped in sealed relation to the side wall portion 'I by means of the block or bushing I 6. The block or bushing I6 has a central opening in alignment with opening II in the container wall and embraces the actuator rod lil. The block I 6 is further provided with a peripheral annular recess for receiving the enlarged edge I5 of the seal and is secured to the side Wall portion l by means of screws Il or the like. It will be noted that the diaphragm-shaped seal with its enlarged annular collar I3 tting Within the groove I2 provides a mounting for the actuator rod I0 whereby said rod is fulcrumed for movement in said collar in accordance with change of level or quantity of water in said container. The seal also effectively prevents leakage of washing liquid from the container 6 to the outside or into any surrounding cabinet and also prevents water getting to the switch contacts. The seal I4 is formed with annular corrugations I8 for strengthening the same so as to provide a suitable support for the actuator rod I0.

Connected to the outer end of actuator rod I0 and insulated therefrom by insulation I9 is a switch operating arm 20 which is formed with a movable contact 2l adapted to be moved into engagement with either of the contacts 22 or 23, dependent upon the position of the oat 9 in turn controlled by the level of water in the tub 6.

The switch contacts 2I, 22, and 23 may loe included in an electrical circuit for control of sequential operations in a washing cycle, such, for example, as illustrated in the parent application above identified.

By means of this arrangement, the objects of this invention and the requirements for successful operation are met.

It is apparent that various modiiications may be made within the spirit and scope of my invention and it is my intention to cover all such modifications in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In combination, a fluid container having a wall provided with an aperture therethrough, switch operating means including an actuator arm extending through said aperture into the interior of said container adapted to operate an electric switch disposed exteriorly of said conn tainer, said actuator arm adjacent the interior of said Wall being provided with an annular groove, means for actuating said arm in accordance with the quantity of uid Within said container, a cup shaped diaphragm sealing member having a central portion and a marginal rim portion adapted to provide a fluid-tight joint between said container Wall and said actuator arm, said rim portion adjacent the edge thereof being provided with an enlarged annular ring portion, and a clamping member secured to said wall Within said sealing member and being provided With an annular recess adapted to embrace said ring portion to provide a seal; said central portion of said sealing member having an opening defined by an enlarged annular ring portion adapted to engage in the annular groove of said actuator arm to provide a seal and to provide a fulcrum for said actuator arm for movement thereof in accordance with the quantity of fluid within said container.

THOMAS R. SMITH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

